Summary of Get to know our keepers for National Zookeeper Week!:
This content celebrates and appreciates the hard work of zookeepers who care for over 2500 animals at Nashville Zoo. The zookeepers share their passion for their job and their love for the animals. They explain that being a zookeeper involves more than just cleaning up after animals; they are well-educated and dedicated to conservation efforts. The zookeepers discuss their favorite aspects of their job, their meaningful connections with certain animals, and what they want guests to take away from their visit. They emphasize the importance of being a zookeeper in terms of preserving and educating about the natural world. Many zookeepers credit Steve Irwin as an inspiration for their career choice. Overall, they express their pride in being a zookeeper.
Get to know our keepers for National Zookeeper Week!
It takes a village to run a Zoo, but exceptional individuals care for the animals. All this week, we are celebrating and showing appreciation for the zookeepers who work hard behind the scenes caring for over 2500 animals. In the spirit of National Zookeeper Week, our keepers share their passion and love for caring for the animals here at Nashville Zoo.
Jake Belair, Ambassador Animal Lead Keeper
Jenna Wolcyzk, Hoofstock Keeper
MJ Foletta, Carnivore Keeper
Why did you choose to become a zookeeper?
“We work hard to enrich the lives of the animals in our care through training, fun enrichment, and engaging with our zoo guests. But we also have the unique opportunity to help these species’ wild counterparts through conservation here at the Zoo. We get to learn from the animals we are privileged enough to work with every day, which is why so many of us do this job.”
Morgan Fontenot, Hoofstock Keeper
“I always loved animals, and I started volunteering at my local Zoo when I was 13–I loved sharing information with guests. That passion led me to zookeeping–I get to help facilitate connections between people and wildlife, which is rewarding.”
Jake Belair, Ambassador Animal Lead Keeper
Whitney Roman, Primate Keeper
Kealy Farrar, Carnivore Keeper
Cameron Luna, Ambassador Animal Keeper
What is your favorite part of your job?
“My favorite part about being a zookeeper is observing how the animals interact with their environment and seeing how I can change things to constantly improve their daily lives, along with building unique relationships with each animal. It’s also a privilege to share these experiences with others who feel the same about animals as I do! ”
Kealy Farrar, Carnivore Keeper
“My favorite part of being a zookeeper is connecting with animals and guests. It is gratifying to see animals grow and become great ambassadors for their species, and then getting to see guests get excited about the animals; it’s always special when a guest says a show or encounter was the highlight of their day.”
Cameron Luna, Ambassador Animal Keeper
“My favorite part of being a zookeeper is the incredible connections I make with the animals I care for and the guests I engage with. Being a zookeeper is not just a job for me; it’s my passion, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to care for these beautiful animals every day.”
Tatum Davis, Primate Keeper
Josh Wiseman, Hoofstock Keeper
Dakota Sullivan, Hoofstock Keeper
Dori Coburn, Contact Area Keeper
What do people not know about Zoo keeping? What is the biggest misconception?
“It’s more than just cleaning poop. We all have college degrees and must know these animals well to provide proper care. We are part of a bigger picture as well. We all have the conservation of these animals in our minds and are trying to do something tangible to help. Whether fieldwork, breeding and release, raising funds, or education, it is all part of our job.”
Stephanie White, Ambassador Animal Area Supervisor
“Being a zookeeper is not about controlling everything in the animals’ lives. We give them the choice to partake in all aspects of their lives. We aim to build trust and encourage participation.”
Whitney Roman, Primate Keeper
“This is more of a lifestyle than a job. No one ever made it rich being a zookeeper. We work on holidays, like Christmas, away from family. We work when it’s hot, cold and in extreme weather. When the roads are iced over, the animals must be cared for. As difficult as our days can be with healthy or sick animals, baby animals or aging animals, we love our job!”
Sean Ployd, Avian Keeper
Jessica Knox, Ambassador Animal Lead Keeper
Chelsea Lee, Hoofstock Keeper
Sean Ployd, Bird Keeper
Is there a particular animal you feel you have a meaningful connection with?
“I’m the primary keeper for the Macaws, so getting to work with them for over a year and watching them grow and learn with me has been so rewarding!”
Meaghan Fowler, Avian Keeper
“I love working with our Galapagos tortoises because they quickly pick up on things. You work with them only a few times, and they seem to remember it. I love using them as an ambassador for the Zoo to get guests excited about being there.”
Katie Gregory, Herpetology Keeper
“Bright Eyes and Curly, the first two lorikeets I bonded with. They were the first birds to miss me when I was gone.
Ashley Gwaltney, Lorikeet Area Supervisor
Tatum Davis, Primate Keeper
Katie Gregory, Herpetology Keeper
Ashley Gwatney, Lorikeet Area Supervisor
What do you want guests to take away from their visit?
“I want guests to learn something from their visit. It could be as small as a basic animal fact or as complex as developing a better understanding of a particular animal’s role in an ecosystem. As long as guests can leave here learning something new.”
James Flaherty, Herpetology Keeper
“These animals are given the best care we can give them. My entire job is to make sure the animals are happy and healthy. I care for them all day, regardless of sun, rain, sleet, or snow.”
Sloane Campbell, Carnivore Keeper
“I want guests to feel empathy and a personal connection to the world around them. Everything has a purpose and should be valued for more than just entertainment purposes. Animals are cute and fun to watch. However, they are so much more. When at the zoo,o take the time to learn about them by reading the signs, attending keeper talks, and asking questions!”
Whitney Roman, Primate Keeper
Robin Mahoney, Area Supervisor of Outreach
Morgan Fontenot, Hoofstock Keeper
Holly Carneal, Herpetology Keeper
Why do you think being a zookeeper is essential?
“These animals rely on us for everything in their lives; without that, many species would be extinct without representation. By educating and encouraging guests about the natural history, ongoing environmental issues, and other ways to help these animals, we can help save species from extinction.”
Holly Carneal, Herpetology Keeper
“We can connect people who would never normally meet or interact with animals in the natural world. The only way to care about the planet is to understand it, and through our jobs, we make those connections to people every day.”
Megan Fox, Avian Keeper
“Being a zookeeper is important because it allows me to preserve our natural world and help it thrive.”
Dakota Sullivan, Hoofstock Keeper
Olivia LaGrand, Avian Keeper
Nikole Edmunds, Hoofstock Lead Keeper
Megan Fox, Avian Keeper
Who do you thank for inspiring you to become a zookeeper?
“My inspiration for becoming a zookeeper started when I watched Steve Irwin on TV. His enthusiasm and passion for wildlife impacted me and made me want to work with animals someday. I feel fortunate to be able to live my lifelong dream and share my passion with other people.”
Olivia LaGrand, Avian Keeper
“While it may be a bit cliche, my role model growing up was Steve Irwin. Watching his show when I was younger inspired me to care about conservation. His passion and self-sacrifice to carry the wildlife conservation standard changed how I looked at the world.”
Josh Wiseman, Hoofstock Keeper
“I thank my parents for raising me to be patient and loving towards all animals. I’ve always wanted to be a keeper since I was young. I grew up watching animal planet with my family. I did a project in 5th grade that I wanted to be a Giant panda caretaker! I have so much love for all animals. Seeing an animal be excited to see me melts my heart. Being so close to animals you love every day is a dream.”
Tatum Davis, Primate Keeper
Sloane Campbell, Carnivore Keeper
In conclusion, zookeepers play a vital role in the care and conservation of animals at the Nashville Zoo. They are passionate about their work, dedicated to the well-being of the animals, and strive to educate and inspire visitors. From enrichment activities to building meaningful connections with individual animals, zookeepers go above and beyond to ensure the animals in their care thrive. So, the next time you visit a zoo, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and passion of the zookeepers who make it all possible.
